After giving that challenge, I saw all these photos coming back of their kids doing the flour activity. I found myself kind of panicking with the messes in their photos and surprised that so many chose to do that activity because of the mess.

It was kind of a wake up call for me. I don’t normally mind messes! And I usually promote messy play. But we haven’t been messy like that in a long time (See Henry’s version of this activity from 4 years ago). The challenge that I prompted my readers with actually challenged me to do it! So we did!

I just gotta remember that messes can be cleaned up! And thanks to our sponsor, Clorox, for having clever cleaning hacks and handy supplies to make it easier than ever to clean up our messes!

And can I tell you that now, after allowing the mess, my kids are asking to do this activity every single day since? And it is one of the simplest ever!

I found two trays I had on hand for each George and Louis. And dumped just a quarter cup of flour on each. That’s plenty! Don’t overdo it, because you will be cleaning it all up and the trails it makes with the kids…

I gathered a few supplies, such as measuring spoons, a slotted spoon and a can strainer. And I just let them have fun!

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They made doodles.

And drew letters and shapes.

They made handprints (over and over again!) which led to flour splashing out.

We learned quickly that we could erase away any of our marks my a quick shake of the tray. Much like an Etch-a-Sketch (affiliate link)! And they could start right back over again.

Then the boys dug out their cars and trucks to drive in the flour. There had to be a snowplow to move all the ‘snow’ too.

Just the first day we got the flour trays out three times. Cleaned up, shoved them off to the side and came back later. This is one that I need to learn to be okay with the mess, because its well worth it!

My quick cleanup tip for this activity:

Get the kids involved in cleanup! What can they do to help? My kids love the vacuum so they get to suck up all the spilled over flour mess. After playing with all the toy cars in the flour, they were a mess! I set them to washing off the toys in the sink, and they just think its part of the fun!

I set out a jelly roll pan with a layer of flour spread along the bottom.

Be sure to only add as much flour as you want to clean up, because it is guaranteed to spread… (but wait, don’t get discouraged, check out these 10 tips to keep messy play clean, plus we had fun with our clean up, read on!)

I intended for this to be practice for drawing and writing with his fingers in the flour. However, Henry only made a circle and that was the extent of that. Oh well.

Henry soon got his backhoe, loader, semi and went to town plowing ‘snow’ and clearing the path.

Its like an indoor sandbox!

This provided the entertainment for the entire morning. Even through Grandma visiting.

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There's always something new for us to discover, as well as old favorites. I am so grateful to have activities handed to us... Fun and easy ones that can be put together in a moment's notice! You're awesome Jamie and I appreciate you sharing your activities and ideas!! - Melissa C.

I feel like a new mama having so many fun ideas. I used to dread the afternoon, after naps, as it was so boring doing the same thing day after day but now I look forward to our "play" time!- Haley S.

You have changed how I spend time with my kid in so many positive ways! I am now one happy dad that no longer wonders what I am going to do with this little guy for the next 12 hours :P Your site was this first time dad life saver! - Jack C.

It is hard to think of things to keep the 3 year old entertained and engaged while taking care of the baby. Everything we have tried so far from your website, the three year old has loved. Your ideas are so simple and he can do them for hours. HEAVEN!- Karen I.